Parkland Board Votes Tonight on Preliminary Budget

Parkland School Board will vote tonight on a for the 2012-2013 school year that is expected to require the district to raise taxes beyond the state index of 1.7 percent.

School officials say the projected tax hike of 4.95 percent would be reduced by June, when a final budget must be adopted, as the district looks to reduce its costs and explore creative ways to raise revenue.

It is not yet known how a new teachers' contract will affect the district's numbers. The administration and teachers union have reached a tentative agreement, but the union will not vote on the agreement until Feb. 21.

 officials have said they are considering as they prepare the 2012-2013 budget, including elimination of the program, a spending freeze and fewer bus runs. More than 30 teachers and staff have , and officials are still assessing which positions will need to be filled and which will be eliminated.

The district raised taxes  for the 2011-2012 school year, eliminated 60 positions, about half through attrition, and cut its behind-the-wheel driver education program to balance the budget. Parkland administrators also took a pay freeze.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m.